Paulina Gretzky shuts down racy Twitter account

more

Milan Luthria: 'I was obsessed with getting Vidya for Dirty Picture'

Milan Luthria has revealed that he was obsessed with getting Vidya Balan to star in The Dirty Picture.

Balan plays tragic South Indian actress Silk Smitha, who made her name in controversial 1980s films.

Luthria told The Times of India: "I was obsessed with the idea of having Vidya Balan in the lead role. When I met her, I was assured that I have made the right choice. Not only is she a great actress, she has a unique sex appeal.

"And I was looking for this combination in my leading lady. Vidya Balan has the voluptuousness of actresses like Sridevi and Vyjayanthimala, which we don't see in the present lot."

Luthria added: "I told Vidya that it was more my responsibility than hers to ensure that her performance comes out beautifully. It didn't matter whether she looked raunchy; she had to look erotic and sensual."

Balan reportedly suffered exhaustion on the set of The Dirty Picture because of the demanding production schedule.

She has since described her role in the film as the "toughest" of her career.
more

Aamir Khan appointed UNICEF Ambassador

Actor Aamir Khan has become a UNICEF India Ambassador.

The Dhoom 3 star will support the organisation's work in promoting children's rights and nutrition, as half of all children in India are malnourished.

Khan said: "I am honoured to formalise my association with UNICEF as their Ambassador to help raise awareness on the issue of malnutrition amongst children.

"I realise there is a lot to be done and I hope that by lending my voice I can make a difference to the lives of children and hereby to the future of our country. Partnering with UNICEF will enable me to advocate for the rights of the most vulnerable and marginalised children in India."

UNICEF representative Karin Hulshof welcomed the appointment.

"We know Aamir Khan as a leading star of Indian cinema," she said. "He is also a compelling advocate, with an enormous drive and commitment, to transform and improve the situation of children in the country."
more

Marilyn Monroe's unseen 3D photos set to rake in 57 pound at auction

Marilyn Monroe’s unseen photographs showing the legendary screen icon living the high life at an exclusive celeb party are set to go under the hammer.

The images, which are valued at a staggering 57,000 pounds were clicked by amateur photographer Lani Carlson in San Diego in 1952.

Carlson was working as a sound engineer at legendary crooner Ray Anthony''s launch party for the hit song ‘Marilyn’, which was written by Ervin Drake and Jimmy Shirl.

As the show stopping Marilyn descended in a helicopter, the amateur snapper quickly used his new state-of-the-art camera to take these amazing images.

In one of the shots, Monroe can be seen posing for admirers in a vibrant pink cocktail dress in front of a giant sheet of music.

Others show her greeting Ray Anthony, the helicopter pilot and a four-legged fan.

Amazingly, the colour snaps were shot in 3D, meaning when seen through a special viewer they leap out of the page.

They were taken on a David White Stereo Realist Camera, a dual-lens point and shoot that creates a three-dimensional effect when seen through a special viewer, the Telegraph reported.

The 3D images will go under the hammer alongside the copyright to all ten stills on December 14 at Bonhams’ Entertainment Memorabilia auction in Los Angeles.
more

Veena Malik denies posing nude for Indian magazine after Pak outrage

Veena Malik appeared nude on the cover of FHM magazine with an ‘ISI’ tattoo on her arm, but has been forced to deny it after it sparked outrage among conservatives in Pakistan - both for her nudity and the reference to the country’s intelligence agency.

The controversial photo appears on the December issue of the magazine.

The image, which was revealed on FHM India’s website, Facebook page and Twitter account simultaneously, shows her nude with her arms and one leg positioned to cover her breasts and pubic area.

On her arm are emblazoned the initials ''ISI'' - the acronym for Pakistan''s feared Inter-Services Intelligence agency - with the tag line, ‘hand in the end of the world too?’

But Malik has denied posing for the lads’ mag and insists that the photo is morphed.

“I have never posed nude. I have never done anything like that ever,” the Daily Mail quoted her as saying.

“My manager and legal team is looking into the matter. We will take legal action against them,” she added.

FHM India’s editor, Kabeer Sharma, said that nothing had been doctored, and that the magazine could prove the photo’s authenticity.

“We have video footage of the shoot as well as emails from Veena about how she’s looking forward to the cover,” BBC quoted him as saying.

Sharma said the reference to Pakistani intelligence was meant to be light-hearted, saying: “In India we joke about this... if anything goes wrong... we say the ISI must be behind this.”
more

'Dirty Picture' needn't have been banned in Pakistan'

"The Dirty Picture", which features Vidya Balan in her boldest avatar ever, has been banned in Pakistan for being too explicit, but Girish Johar of production house Balaji Motion Pictures feels it didn't deserve such treatment.

"The film, to be released Friday, was rejected by them (Pakistan)," head of acquisition and distribution at Balaji Motion Pictures, told IANS.

"The Dirty Picture", which has got an A-certificate from the censor board, was due to release across over 50 screens in Pakistan.

According to Johar, the reason behind the ban was the "too explicit and bold" content of the movie, which also features Emraan Hashmi, Tusshar Kapoor and veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah.

Despite Vidya's skin show and titillating portrayal of a 1980s' dancing star, Johar says the film didn't deserve to be banned.

"Of course not, it didn't deserve to be banned. 'The Dirty Picture' fans, Emraan fans, Vidya fans and 'Ooh la la' fans in Pakistan, all are disappointed," he added.

The narrative of the movie, is said to have been inspired by late southern sex siren Silk Smitha.
more

Tom Cruise visits Taj Mahal with Anil Kapoor

He went to Agra and visited the Taj Mahal later in the day, media reports said.

The 49-year-old actor is currently touring India to promote his upcoming film 'Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol'.

B-town star Anil Kapoor has played a small role in the movie.

Kapoor will be seen playing a character named Brij Nath in the much awaited release of the year.

Cruise was accompanied by Anil Kapoor as they visited the monument of 'love' on Saturday.

Th fourth film of the Mission Impossible series will hit the silver screens in India on Dec 16.
more

Lady Gaga's 14-minute music video puzzles, pleases

LOS ANGELES: Lady Gaga made her music video directorial debut with a 14-minute production which was met on Friday with a mix of weariness and adulation by fans and pop culture watchers.

"Marry the Night" -- the fifth single from her "Born This Way" album -- sees the Grammy-winning performance artist making a trip to the hospital, dying her hair mint green, throwing Cheerios over her naked body and hanging upside down in a car -- all in the eight minutes before the song comes in.

Gaga, 25, told E! News that the surreal video, released on Thursday, was a portrait of the day she thought she saw her dreams slipping away from her when she was dropped from her first record label.

It was, she said, "one of the worst days in my life," but added that parts of the video were "meant to be comical."

People magazine called the video "an enigma" and said the autobiographical clip will "certainly leave fans talking, if not scratching their heads."

"AMAZING. Not just a pop singer, she's an artist," wrote Danny on the E! online message boards.

But others were clearly beginning to tire of the outrageous pop star and wondered whether Gaga was losing her touch.

"She has gone from bold to being an exhibitionist. You can't help but wonder if she has gone from a normal person to actually believing she is the persona. Poor girl," wrote Marko on the E! online board.

But Michael Gragg, writing for Britain's Guardian newspaper website, liked the fact that Lady Gaga was "embracing the ridiculous."

"Superstars are at their best when they're simultaneously aware and unaware of their own ridiculousness, and that's what 'Marry the Night' delivers for Lady Gaga. Oh, and the song's pretty good too," Gragg wrote on Friday.

Despite widespread publicity for the music video, and a performance by Lady Gaga of the new song on a Grammy nominations concert on U.S. television on Wednesday, "Marry the Night" has so far failed to catch fire.

On Friday, the song was in 38th place on the U.S. iTunes singles charts.

"I think she needs to do more editing of her creative ideas and songs ... If she gets too difficult to relate to she'll lose her fans by losing sight of the reasons they love her: fantasy, escape and her ideas about relationships, love and hard work," wrote Dragnfly on the People.com comments page. (Reuters)
more

Veena Malik Heats Up FHM

Photo Credit snatabanta.com

Pakistani actress Veena Malik, known for enraging conservative sections of the Pakistani society following her participation in the Indian reality tv show Bigg Boss 4, has bared it all for the men's international lifestyle magazine, FHM (For Him Magazine).

Malik has done a strip photo shoot for FHM India and even tattooed her arms with 'ISI'- Pakistan's notorious intelligence agency known for its close ties with terror organizations. The issue also has Malik talking about controversial topics like veil in Muslim societies.

Veena Malik, a Pakistani actress, model and comedienne, shot to fame in India when she entered the Indian reality tv show Bigg Boss season four 2010. The actress, who cosied up with male contestants on the show and flaunted her curves unabashedly, drew sharp condemnation and criticism from Muslim clerics and conservative media in Pakistan.

After returning to her country, she engaged in a fierce debate with a Muslim cleric, who decreed that Malik had displayed "immoral behaviour" as a contestant on Bigg Boss. In her defence, Malik said that she was an artist and she wore the same clothes and behaved in the same fashion back home. She snubbed the cleric by giving him a taste of his own orthodox medicine. She asked him if he had not violated the Islamic law by watching a strange woman (Malik in the Bigg Boss show) more than once.

Malik, soon received a threatening letter by Maulana Masood, a terrorist leader known for his connections with Osama bin Laden. The letter accused her of humiliating Islam and Pakistan's name during her stay in the Bigg Boss' house.

Before entering Bigg Boss, Malik had established herself as a leading actress in Urdu cinema in Pakistan. She also worked with news and entertainment channels.

Malik is known for her various social and liberal causes. She is also a representative of the World Health Organization.

The news about Veena Malik's strip off photo shoot has gone viral on the web and among her Pakistani fans and critics.
more

The Dirty Picture (Movie Review)

First: a disclaimer. If cheesy one-liners, ample cleavage displays and orgasms - fake or otherwise - make you uncomfortable then stay away from this film.

‘The Dirty Picture’ not only thrives on these traits but literally celebrates them like never before in its 144 minutes of unabashed, in-your-face entertainment, entertainment and entertainment.

Undoubtedly, it is Vidya’s one of the finest outings in which she portrays the role of Reshma aka Silk, obviously, 'inspired' by the real life story of Silk Smitha.

Here’s a quick synopsis to her tragic tale:

Reshma is a non-conformist who leaves home to become a star in the big bad world of Tollywood. She has no qualms about her sexuality and knows that everything comes at a price.

After series of rejections, she finally lands up in a solo-dance number but critically acclaimed director Abraham (Emraan hashmi) robs her off that big-ticket to silver screen. Heartbroken, she is ready to move back to her sleepy village, when the producer (Rajesh Sharma) includes her risqué jig again to pep up the tepid collections and sets box-office on fire.

The world now wakes up to Silk and no film is complete without her ‘dirty’ antics. Be her childhood crush and now aging superstar Suryakant (Naseeruddin Shah) or millions of frontbenchers no can keep their eyes, minds or hands off Silk.

But as they say, success without honour is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy your hunger, but it won't taste good. Silk learns this bitter truth the hard way.

Though people are lapping her every act yet she is still their dirty secret, hidden somewhere in their closets or dark bedrooms not deemed worthy of their company. She chooses not to pay attention but reality comes to bite her at last when her own mother spurns her and slams the door on her face. And so does rest of the world, finally.

Series of failures in her love/lust affairs leaves her bitter and she smashes all the pretence of shame and decency. Her dream project and triple-role extravaganza turns out to be a flameout and she sinks further into the abyss of depression.

The two hardest things to handle in life are failure and success and Silk stands miserable at both. Ironically, Abraham - the man who hated her the most, is now the only solace in her troubled life. But it’s too late to resuscitate her decrepit soul...

With ‘The Dirty Picture’ director, Milan Luthria has put his hand in the dirtiest pit of the Indian cinema and excavated a gem in the form of Vidya Balan. You can’t help but appreciate the effort she puts in to make her Silk look authentic.

In an age where majority of leading ladies won’t dare to look overweight, Vidya carries her ample love-handles with aplomb.

Here are a few things you’ll like about the film, apart from Vidya:

The smashing first-half replete with Rajat Arora’s witty one-liners, Naseer Saab’s slithery Surya and Emran Hashmi’s understated yet powerful Abraham.

What you may not like is the dragging second-half and the way the director handles Silk’s fall from the grace. However, Milan redeems himself in the climax as Silk’s meets her tragic end.

All in all, ‘The Dirty Picture’ may not be your perfect family outing but it is the ‘Silk’ route you must take this weekend.
more

Kim's naked yoga session sent Kris packing

Kris Humphries was left furious after he walked in on his former wife Kim Kardashian, her sister and friends taking part in a yoga session with a naked male yoga instructor on their reality show.

Kardashian, 31, and Humphries were seen coming to blows during the season premiere of 'Kourtney and Kim Take New York', which was aired on U.S. television on Nov 28.

Only the male instructor bares everything in the yoga session.

Even though the reality star keeps her clothes one, the basketball star is not happy about her being in the company of a naked man.

That is disgusting," the Daily Mail quoted him as saying.

"This is my home. This is disrespectful.

The socialite fires back after Humphries makes his feelings known in front of the instructor.

"You are so immature I can't take it," she said.

"You can't take it? I can't take it... I felt uncomfortable when I came in. I nearly threw up," he said.

Things get even more personal when he tells her that he can no longer live with Kourtney, who had organized the naked yoga session.

"Kourtney cannot live with us anymore. I will personally pay for her to have a room on a different floor."

But in the end it is Humphries who leaves, and heads to Minnesota, expressing concerns that his New York lifestyle is getting in the way of his training routine.
more

World's first sex school opens in Austria

While many people may think it's an activity which should be best learned behind closed doors, an enterprising Swedish schoolmistress thinks otherwise. Ylva-Maria Thompson has opened the world's first international sex school for teaching the art of being better lovers, the Daily Mail reported.


The Austrian International Sex School in Vienna offers 'hands on' lessons in seduction for 1,400 pounds a term. The 'headmistress' says anyone over the age of 16 can enrol at 'the world's first college of applied sexuality'.

Students of the course are expected to stay in a co-ed dormitory block where they're expected to practice their 'homework'. By the end of their course, they are awarded a qualification.

The school head said: "Our core education is not theoretical, but very practical. The emphasis is on how to be a better lover.

"Sexual positions, caressing techniques, anatomical features. And we teach people hands on."

School's spokesperson Melodi Kirsch exuded confidence that the school would be a great success.

The school, however, has already turned controversial in Austria with its raunchy advertisments showing a couple making love having already invited a ban by Austrian TV.
more

Silk was competing with international porn: Vidya Balan

Vidya Balan analyses what changed the definition of eroticism in a film actress over the years...

It is amazing to see the kind of journey that the portrayal of sensuality in women in Bollywood has taken. Till the 80s, men had no access to titillation except perhaps in magazines or desi detective novels, which were actually suggestive.

Then in the 80s, the video revolution happened and people could watch whatever they wanted within the confines of their homes; all sorts of fantasies were being catered to. Porn was available at the click of a button.

So it became a huge challenge for filmmakers to drag this particular set of audience out of the house to watch their films.

So it is interesting to see how the films of those days introduced this sexy woman who was disqualified to be a heroine, because the filmmakers were not yet comfortable with the sensuality of a 'good' woman.

Since they had to include the titillation factor, the vamp was introduced.

And then by and by, they stopped pretending and these women were purely introduced as sex objects. They were after all competing with international porn, which was easily available to any man. So in came this dancing girl who was skimpily clad and who used lewd gestures.

Some of the scenes that these films, especially the south Indian ones had, were so suggestive that it sometimes gets shocking. Like this scene I saw of Silk Smitha trying to dance with the hero's leg placed on her crotch. She is balancing herself on her hands and legs and moving off the floor. It is incredible.

And then there is this scene where she has to seduce a horse! So, there were many kinky scenes but they couldn't go the whole hog.

Makers started getting more and more creative and every film started including one such kinky song, hoping to get the audience into the theatre, at least for the sake of that song.

I think this piqued the interest of every man...I am surprised that many of my so-called polished male friends, who look down on Bollywood, have all watched movies like Kanti Shah ke angoor.

I think it was only in the 90s that heroines were allowed to be sexy. Suddenly it was okay to desire the heroine and not look at her just as someone who can be taken home to meet parents.

Songs like Dhak Dhak, Chholi ke peeche, Kaate nahi katthe, etc started being introduced. If you see Kaate nahi katthe, it is almost like Shridevi is making love to the camera, but hats off to her and Saroj Khan, that not for one moment it looked sleazy.

Actresses got comfortable with sensuality and I think that was a good sign. Now of course, we have come a long way.

Credit: Mid-Day.com
more

Manisha Koirala's last bid to save her fading career

The actress has chosen to return to Mumbai to promote her next, in a bid to boost her fading career

Manisha Koirala's film Do Paise Ki Dhoop Chaar Aane Ki Baarish will release on International Women's Day, (March 8).

She plays an aging disfigured sex worker with a 12-year-old child. There are plans to tie-up the film with the work that she does with UNESCO for women and children.

The actress will also be spending time with sex workers in Mumbai.

Manisha is leaving no stones unturned to make this her comeback film. She is all set to leave behind her life as a housewife in Nepal for this. She would be spending nearly two months in India, travelling to Mumbai and other parts to promote the film.

Says a source, "At the moment Manisha is making a very sincere effort to make her marriage work. But Do Paise Ki Dhoop... is a very important film for her. Besides the film's director Deepti Naval is the actress' best friend."

Sources suggest that the success of this arthouse film will decide the future course of her career.

Adds the source, "This is her do-or-die bid to regain lost glory. Both director Deepti Naval and Manisha are aiming for a National Award through this film."

Says the source, "If Do Paise Ki Dhoop... works for her, then she'd consider a serious shift to Mumbai. For now she will give the promotion her entire concentration, although her husband is apparently dead-set against her return to Mumbai."

Deepti Naval confirms, "She has rightly decided to give the film the time it deserves, away from her personal commitments."

Manisha confirmed she would spend significant time on her film. "I am in a meditation course. I can't talk until December 22. But yes, I'll be flying in and out of Mumbai, as I need to be in Nepal too, " the actress messaged.

Credit: Mid-Day.com
more

Britney Spears to offer free Mexico City concert

MEXICO CITY: US pop singer Britney Spears will deliver a free Christmas concert in a downtown Mexico City plaza, Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said Tuesday.

Spears will perform at the Monument to the Revolution on Sunday, kicking of Christmas festivities in the populous city, Ebrard said.

In late August 2009 some 11,600 volunteers set a Guinness world record by dancing the Michael Jackson song "Thriller" in unison at the Monument to the Revolution.

Mexico City festivities include a giant Christmas tree; an ice rink at the Zocalo, the main city square; and artificial snow during a parade.

The so-called "Princess of Pop" will also perform at concerts in the western city of Guadalajara on Friday, in Mexico City on Saturday, and in the northern city of Monterrey the following Tuesday. (AFP)
more

Pippa Middleton, Kardashians among "most fascinating" of 2011

NEW YORK: What do Britain's Pippa Middleton and the Kardashian family have in common?

They are all among the 10 most fascinating people of 2011, according to veteran journalist Barbara Walters.

Middleton, 28, younger sister of Prince William's new wife Kate, was named on Wednesday along with British reality TV guru Simon Cowell, singer Katy Perry and businessman Donald Trump as making the list in Walter's annual ABC TV special.

Walters will announce the number one most fascinating person of 2011 when the 90-minute show "Barbara Walters Presents the 10 Most Fascinating People of 2011" airs on December 14.

Other celebrities making up the top 10 most prominent names in entertainment, sport and pop culture include baseball star Derek Jeter, and "Modern Family" actors Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson who play a gay couple on the Emmy-winning TV comedy.

Middleton found unexpected fame during the British royal wedding in April when she wore a figure-hugging white dress as maid of honor to her sister Kate. She has been a constant fixture in U.S. and British celebrity media ever since.

Socialite sisters Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian and their mother Kris -- the biggest reality TV stars in the United States -- found new fame in 2011 when Kim held a lavish summer TV wedding after a whirlwind romance that ended in her filing for divorce just 72 days later. (Reuters)
more

Popular Posts

Blog Archive